Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting featured a second read on an ordinance for the use of “Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices “ATESD” (speed cameras).
According to the ordinance, these are devices designed to detect and collect evidence of alleged traffic violations by recording images that capture the number plate, date, time, and location of a motor vehicle that exceeds the posted speed limit by 10 or more miles per hour.
Per the Town Charter, the Board of Selectmen functions as the Town’s traffic authority and approval of camera use did not require approval by the Representative Town Meeting. A request for proposals had been issued with a May 9 deadline for responses. Once selected, the vendor would study locations and install/monitor them, starting in school zones.
Citations for violations would be issued to the owner of the vehicle involved and would sent in the mail within 60 days of the alleged violation. The fine for a first violation of this article would be be $50.00. The fine for each subsequent violation of this article shall be seventy-five dollars $75.00. People will be able to pay their fines electronically and an additional, “reasonable” processing fee of no more than $15.00 would be added.
The police department already uses various technologies for traffic safety including license plate readers. Prior to installation of cameras, there would be traffic studies conducted at all school locations, including both 15 public school and 6 private school locations.
A hearing process to appeal tickets issued to drivers would be established similar to the one for parking tickets. Citation officers would be appointed by appointed the
First Selectman.
Revenue from fines would be paid to the camera vendor to cover installation expenses, and the remainder of fines would go into a fund earmarked for traffic safety initiatives.
There ordinance also includes an appeals process.
Democratic Selectwoman Janet Stone McGuigan repeated her request that an information hearing be held to educate the public about speed cameras.
Chief Heavey said according to the information vendors had provided, speed cameras potentiall reduce speeding near schools 50-60%, increasing safety for pedestrians. He said the first speed camera could potentially be in place before the beginning of next school year.
Overall, the Selectmen reported they had heard little negative feedback about speed cameras.
However, during a recent DPW input session on traffic and pedestrian safety in central Greenwich, Karen Fassuliotis said she and her neighbors strongly opposed installation of speed cameras.
She said she and her neighbors had complaints about speeding cars in the area of Glen Rd/Skylark Rd/Carleton Street, often used as cut-throughs by high school students, but they believed police enforcement could solve the problem.
“I personally do not favor traffic cameras in town. As a New England Yankee our personal freedoms are paramount,” Fassuliotis said.
Meanwhile, at the DPW input session for Cos Cob, there were rounds of applause from residents when speed cameras were recommended, especially in the area of Central Middle School and Orchard Street.
Shiro Nogaki from Orchard Street described a car having plowed through his front door. Another resident or Orchard Street said speeding cars were headed to Stanwich Rd and points north, including traffic exiting I95.
Steve Soler from Cos Cob received applause when he said cameras had been approved by the legislature and installing them would be an “easy lift” for the town. “The minute those cameras go up, everybody’s Waze is going to say ‘speed light camera in place,’ and they’ll slow down,” he said.
The Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 in favor of the speed cameras.